‘Hazardous materials incident’ closes Edmonton’s HUB Mall

EDMONTON – The University of Alberta’s HUB Mall was shut down shortly before 1 p.m. Monday. Officials later confirmed there was a death on campus.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services confirmed it was responding to a fire alarm call around 12:45 at the university.

The university’s protective services team sent a message on Twitter saying that HUB was closed for an “ongoing incident” and that first responders were on site.

An Emergency Notification email explained emergency responders were called to HUB Mall at 12:42 p.m. for a hazardous materials incident.

Notice: There has been an incident at HUB Mall. Please avoid the area. #UAlberta

— UniversityOfAlberta (@UAlberta) October 27, 2014

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: Notice: There has been an incident at HUB Mall. Please avoid the area. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UAlberta?src=hash">#UAlberta</a></p><p>— UniversityOfAlberta (@UAlberta) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAlberta/status/526816693176500224">October 27, 2014</a>

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Most of the mall – which also serves as a student residence – was reopened shortly after 1:30 p.m.

“At approximately 12:45 p.m. today there was an incident in HUB Mall at the University of Alberta,” said Bev Betkowski, a spokesperson for the university.

“Edmonton Police Services and Edmonton Fire have evaluated the scene and have determined there are no risks to public safety. HUB Mall has been reopened. The north stairwell of HUB Mall is still cordoned off.”

Later Monday afternoon, university officials said there had been a death on campus.

The death was not criminal in nature, Edmonton police told Global News.

More to come…